Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Round Rock, TX
It is 1741 mi and 30h 37m from Santa Clara to Round Rock — a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1741 mi · 30h 37m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Round Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Expect about 11.2% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Round Rock at 98.066 vs Santa Clara at 110.423.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.2% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,782,192 to $407,077 moving to Round Rock.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Round Rock -5.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Round Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 124,288 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $97,187 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 36.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 28.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.66 |
Expect median household income to fall 11.2% — $173,670 → $97,187 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Round Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Round Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1741 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Round Rock more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Round Rock is 11.2% lower than Santa Clara (98.066 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Round Rock, TX from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 1741 mi and the route typically takes 30h 37m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Round Rock compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,077 in Round Rock vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara — a 77.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Round Rock compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Round Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,187 in Round Rock vs $173,670 in Santa Clara — a 44.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA · Round Rock, TX.